subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

transitive verb

: to furnish with a subsidy: such as

a

: to purchase the assistance of by payment of a subsidy

b

: to aid or promote (someone or something, such as a private enterprise) with public money

subsidize soybean farmers

subsidize public transportation

subsidization

ˌsəb-sə-də-ˈzā-shən 

-zə-

noun

subsidizer noun

Synonyms of subsidize

• fund
• finance

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

The state subsidizes housing for low-income families.

She feels that private businesses should not be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company subsidizes health insurance for its employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Firms invest more to produce more to export more at lower or negative margins, subsidized by local governments whose own fiscal health depends on the factories’ staying open. — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Supporters argue that film incentives contribute to the economy at large, not just subsidize the salaries of local grips, gaffers and camera and lighting operators. — Brent Lang, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

When drug traffickers allegedly subsidize TikTok dances, a victim’s innocence can be almost impossible to discern. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026

The state needs to have programs to help incentivize and help subsidize these hazard mitigation measures and home hardening measures. — John Ramos, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsidize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

: to aid or furnish with a subsidy

subsidization

ˌsəb-səd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsəb-zəd-

noun

subsidizer noun